Indicator for oiling systems.



:P. M. GELATI. INDICATOR FOR UILIING SYSTEMS.

APPUCATION FILED 8.10.19!!- 1,274,871. Patented Aug. 6-, 19m

PRILO H. GELA'IT, OI LL CROBEE, WISCONSIN.

INDICATOR I'OR OI LING SYSTEMS.

' Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 6, 1918.

Application flied February 10. 1917. Serial No. 147,988.

7b all whom it may concern. I

Be it known that I, Prune M. Gnria'rr, a citizen of the United States ofAmerica, re-

siding at La Crosse, in the county of La' Crosse and State of Wisconsin,have in yentedcertam new and useful Improvements in Indicators for OihngSystems, of which the followingis a specification, reference being badtherein to the accompanying drawings.

In the operation of engines and power plants, particularly those inautomobiles and ower boats, it is desirable-to have means for indicatingto the user the operation of the oiling system so that there will be nofailure of proper lubrication. Where this indicating means is withinrange of the operator's Station, it is desirable to avoid the sight ofthe lubricant itself, as such. construction and disposition necessitatea traus mrent wall inclosing the lubricant. whit-his liable to break andrelease the oil andrender the operators station not only unsightly butunsafe.

This invention relates to an oil indicator for the power plants ofautomobiles, boats and the like and for other similar purposes wherebythe operator can at once tell that there is a cessation of flow throughthe system, without there being any back pressure or retarding of thesystem by the indicating mechanism, while the lubricant itself is not insight, and there is no danger of breakage or leakage.

The invention consists in the matters hereinafter set forth, and moreparticularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings.

Figure 1 is a view of an automobile, partially broken away and indicateddiagram martically, and power plant provided with means that embodiesFeatures of the in-. vention;

Fig. 2 is a view in cross section and in detail of the indicator;

F ig. 3 is a view in front elevation ofthe indicator;

Fig. 4 is a view in section and in detail thereof, and

F ig. 5 is a view in perspective and detail of an index andthc operatingmechanism.

As herein shown in preferred form a cas' ing 1 that is preferablycircular or at least is provided with a suitable dial plate 2, 18mounted in convenient view of the operators station of an automobile 3or the like. Preferably the sup )ortin member 4: has an opening throngwhiei the casing extendli and wherein it is held by a clamp 5 secured bystuds 6 and nuts 7, the clamp cooperating with a fiange 8 which in thisinstance may conveniently be the marginal portion of a retaining collar10 that is in screw-threaded engagement with the casing. The dial plate2 is clamped against an inner flange 11 between suitable gaskets 12, andunder -a glass 13 and outer gasket 14 by this retaining eoliarso thatthe casing is hermetically sealed.

An influx pipe 15 that extends into the casing has an exteriorconnection 16 suitably arranged for coupling into the pressure or feedside of a conduit of the power plant.

An outlet nipple 17 leads from the casing to the same. conduit so that aflow is maintained through the casing without appreciably filling thelatter.

The influx pipe 15 depends from the rear wall of the casing or the sidethereof in such manner that it directs its discharge against a. blade 18that is connected to a spindle 19 extending through the dial plate andcarry-- ing an index 20 which sweeps an a propriate scale on the latter.A counterweig t|21 tends to return 'the'blade 18 to initial position. Inpreferred form the blade 18 is integral with the counterweight member21, the latter being turned at right angles to the blade so that itmoves easily through any lubricant it may encounter.

Consequently, whenever there is movement of oil through the conduit theblade 18 or vane is moved so that the index goes to the on position andthe counterweight returns the vane and index to off position when theflow ceases.

Thus the operator can at all times see that how is being maintainedthrou h the lubricating systeu'i without seeing t to lubricant itselfand without any danger of leakage at the point of observation. as thedial plate glass may be broken without releasing the dial plate whichseals the casing.

Obviously. changes in the details of construction may be made Withoutdeparting from the spirit of my invention and I do not. rare to limitmyself to any particular cant discharged from the inlet for indicatingmoienlent of lubricant from the inlet.

3. An indicator for oiling systems comprising acasing having an inletand an outlet, a vane pivoted between its ends with one. of its portionsin thepatlrof llow from the inlet and the other portion acting as acounterweight to return the vane to initial position, the portions beingin transverse planes, and means on the easing for indieating themovement. of the vane.

4. The combination in an automobile having a power plant and oilingsystem therefor. of an indicator coml'irising a casing having: a dialplate disposed in. View of the operator's station and provided with aninlet for receiving lubricant passing through the T Y fl'lll andanoutlet for returning: it to the system. vane oscillatory in the casingin the path of llnW from the inlet adapted to return to initial positionwhen flow through the casing ceases. and an index moredby the vaneoverthe dial.

.3. An indicator comprising a casing havinn a tlangn-d owning. a dialplate resting on the flange of the opening and sealing the latter. acover plate for the dial plate, a collur elamping the dial and coverplate together with interposed gaskets on the flange, an inlet nipplediscl'iarging into the casing, an outlet from the casing, a vaneoscillatory in the casing in the path of inflow from the inlet. aspindle turned by the vane through a. hearing: in the dial plate, and anindex carried by the spindle that sweeps the dial plate.

6. .\n indicator comprising a casing havin; a flanged opening, a dialplate resting onthe flange of the opening, a cover plate over the dialplate, a collar interlocking with the casing. gaskets between the open;inn flange. the plates and the collar, a spindle journaled in the dialplate, a vane .on the spindle in the casing in the path of llow oflubricant into the casing from an inlet thereto, balanced to return toinitial position when not, shifted by movement of lubricant, and anindex on the spindle traversing the dial plate. t

- 7. An indicator comprising acasing having a flanged opening, dial andcover plates removably and hermetically clamped over the opening, aspindle journaled in the dial plate. a vane having transversely disposedblades. secured to the spindle between the blades, and an index securedto the spindle to sweepthe dial, the casing having an inlet the flowfrom which impinges against one of the blades of thevane,and an outlet.

In testimony whereof I allix my signature in the presence of twowitnesses.

PHILO M. GELATT. Witnesses t C. .R. S'rIoKNEY, J. P. APPLEMAN.

